Luxembourg, 10/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - During their Council on Thursday 10 October in Luxembourg, EU transport ministers adopted a general approach on new prerogatives and funding for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). €160.5 million will be made available to EMSA for funding its antipollution activities over the next seven years.
Greek, Cypriot, Maltese and Croatian delegations were particularly keen to underline their interest in this initiative even though they thought the funding available was not as much as it should be. The planned amount is therefore expected to be confirmed by way of the agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020.
EMSA's responsibilities include the setting up of a network of antipollution boats, detecting oil slicks by satellite (CleanSeaNet) and information, coordination and cooperation initiatives that will be stepped up in the fight against pollution created by gas and oil installations.
EMSA activities, however, will not be replacing action by the respective national authorities and will help to complement them. Coastal states are expected to remain in charge of cleaning up operations. (MD/transl.fl)